Well, I've done this several times, and can't honestly say that I noticed any quality loss. But then, I harbour no illusions that I'm some type of audiophile. I just listen to my tunes, when I want to!
__________________
Chris
iMac 21.5", OS X Snow Leopard
2G iPod Touch 16 GB
Well, I've done this several times, and can't honestly say that I noticed any quality loss. But then, I harbour no illusions that I'm some type of audiophile. I just listen to my tunes, when I want to!
I down loaded 3 or 4 of the originals at the higher bit rate. Even after converting the 128s to CD and back to 256 MP3, both sounded the same to me. I was using a headset rather than speakers, but certainly I was happy enough with the results to not bother paying the 40¢ plus charge on my remaining 128 AACs.
I suspect anyone whose ears are so good as to notice a difference should probably limit their music purchases to CDs.
If iTunes Match does the trick and the OP intends to do that anyways, then other methods need not apply.
__________________ ~WARNING: If you see links to ads in the above post, blame the cheesy ad-linking software used by the owners of this website. These ad links were inserted without either my direct or implied permission. I do not endorse these links. Don't click on them.~
Do NOT Touch this computer!!! Touching this computer WILL cause irreversible brain damage.
I down loaded 3 or 4 of the originals at the higher bit rate. Even after converting the 128s to CD and back to 256 MP3, both sounded the same to me. I was using a headset rather than speakers, but certainly I was happy enough with the results to not bother paying the 40¢ plus charge on my remaining 128 AACs.
I suspect anyone whose ears are so good as to notice a difference should probably limit their music purchases to CDs.
Gear is more of a factor than ears
In all serious though - for some people, Scotch is Scotch and it all tastes the same, whereas others have developed a palate for it and can discern between different vintages of the same brand. It doesn't mean they taste "better" but rather they've trained themselves to be more sensitive. Wine may just be wine to them... As far as the ear is concerned it's more about how well "trained" the ear is than anything.
The only disadvantage of the method you prescribe is that you've double the storage required, but have at best case an identical recording to that which you had at half the bit rate. (Which is probably moot since you wouldn't have been able to play the latter on anything non-iTunesy)
In all serious though - for some people, Scotch is Scotch and it all tastes the same, whereas others have developed a palate for it and can discern between different vintages of the same brand. It doesn't mean they taste "better" but rather they've trained themselves to be more sensitive. Wine may just be wine to them... As far as the ear is concerned it's more about how well "trained" the ear is than anything.
The only disadvantage of the method you prescribe is that you've double the storage required, but have at best case an identical recording to that which you had at half the bit rate. (Which is probably moot since you wouldn't have been able to play the latter on anything non-iTunesy)
I think storage mattered some years ago. But I don't that's longer an issue. Space is way cheaper now. I still have some files that I ripped @ 96 way back when. in 2001 my Indigo iMac had a 10G (or was it 40G?) HD. Imagine that. So ya, that was a big deal then. NO longer. I actually rip stuff as Apple Lossless.
I think storage mattered some years ago. But I don't that's longer an issue. Space is way cheaper now. I still have some files that I ripped @ 96 way back when. in 2001 my Indigo iMac had a 10G (or was it 40G?) HD. Imagine that. So ya, that was a big deal then. NO longer. I actually rip stuff as Apple Lossless.
For those using SSDs, that drive space can be expensive real estate, and close to the cost of HDDs back at the beginning of this century.
But things are improving and the SSD's price per GB is dropping:
Linear Mode
